Monticello’s Slam Allen: Soulworking Man

Many of his musician pals showed up to support Allen, but he managed to turn the tables, and invited several to join the band on stage as they performed two soulful, searing, smokin’ sets that ran the gamut of jazz, blues and a bit of funk for good measure. “I feel it is my responsibility,” he told the crowd, “to make sure that when you come out to hear Slam Allen, you get to see a show.” Performing standards and originals for the crowd, Allen displayed his toothy grin and basked in the glow as the audience leapt to its feet, dancing, swaying and “feelin’ it” to their toes.

“I make home wherever I am,” he told me, “but the Catskills always calls me back.” Never one to rest on his laurels, Allen has bigger dreams, goals and desires, one of which is to give back to the world that “has given so much” to him.

“I am by no means done,” he said. Determined to grow as a musician and human being, Allen’s spiritual journey has just begun. “Yes, I would love to be rich, but not just for selfish reasons. I already feel rich in my heart. It is truly my desire to put the ‘wow factor’ back in music and with the help of my friends and family, I feel well on my way.”

Charming, endearing and talented, Slam Allen is on the rise. How fortunate for us then, that he makes time to return to the Hudson Valley and share the ride with the rest of us. Singin’ the blues is only half of what this man does. Lifting us up and spreading the love is a magical, magnificent gift that must be experienced firsthand. Visit www.slamallen.com. Make no mistake: the “birth of the blues” is back.